The Darkest Dark
The Darkest Dark book cover

The Darkest Dark

Hardcover – Picture Book, September 13, 2016

by
Price
$16.99
Format
Hardcover
Pages
48
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0316394727
Dimensions
10.45 x 0.65 x 10.35 inches
Weight
1.12 pounds

Description

From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 2—Canadian astronaut Hadfield presents an uplifting tale about a boy whose deep-rooted fears are eclipsed by the potency and possibility of his dreams for the future. It's July 1969, and Chris spends his days piloting his cardboard-box rocket, battling extraterrestrials, and voyaging to distant planets. But at night, fear of the dark has him seeing terrifying shadow aliens everywhere and seeking safety in his parents' bed. Everything changes when he watches the Apollo 11 moon landing on television and catches an awestruck glimpse of outer space, "the darkest dark ever." Later, unsettling shadows still occupy his unlit room, but Chris is different: with eyes newly opened to "the power and mystery and velvety black beauty of the dark," he can't wait to explore the night sky—a dream that will always keep him company (and ultimately come true). Rendered in graphite and digitally colored in dusky hues, the luminous illustrations provide realistic portrayals of the action along with emotionally evocative depictions of the fantastical elements, from the just-menacing-enough coal black silhouettes of nighttime creatures to a wonder-filled dreamscape showing the pajama-clad space-helmeted boy (and his loyal pug companion) floating above his bed surrounded by stars and planets, rocket ships, and animals. Back matter includes a biography, a reassuring message from the author, and photos. VERDICT A splendid story for soothing night fears, fostering future explorers, and teaching children that not even the sky's the limit when it comes to dreaming big.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal Praise for The Darkest Dark : * "The Fan brothers ( The Night Gardener ) switch easily between fantasy elements and documentary images...The idea that a famous astronaut was once afraid of the dark may win some recalcitrant bed-goers' hearts, and readers with dreams of space travel will jump at this."― Publishers Weekly (starred review) Chris Hadfield is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in the world. In May 2013, Hadfield returned to Earth after serving as Commander of the International Space Station, where he and his crew lived for five months (his third mission). Chris frequently speaks to audiences throughout the US and Canada about space exploration and science education. Terry Fan received his formal art training at Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. His work is a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques, using ink or graphite mixed with digital. He spends his days (and nights) creating magical paintings, portraits, and prints. Together with his brother Eric, he wrote and illustrated the critically-acclaimed picture book, The Night Gardener. Eric Fan is an artist and writer who lives in Toronto, Canada. He attended the Ontario College of Art and Design where he studied illustration, sculpture, and film. He has a passion for vintage bikes, clockwork contraptions, and impossible dreams. His widely-praised debut picture book, The Night Gardener , was a collaboration with his brother Terry. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield and brought to life by Terry and Eric Fan's lush, evocative illustrations,
  • The Darkest Dark
  • will encourage readers to dream the impossible.
  • Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem--at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark. But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is--and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(727)
★★★★
25%
(303)
★★★
15%
(182)
★★
7%
(85)
★
-7%
(-85)

Most Helpful Reviews

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I highly recommend this book

Now, those in my family may be a bit biased due to being avid fans of the sordid adventures of retired astronaut Chris Hadfield, but this book over its two days in our possession is already seeing quite a bit of use. The dialogue remains simple and engaging for my four year old and the illustrations are glorious and reminiscent of Maurice Sendak. I highly recommend this book. It's subject matter - getting over the fear of the dark - is perfect for bedtime and on point for its intended age group. I'm particularly fond of the message from Hadfield in the back which states, "The dark is for dreams and the morning is for making them come true." May we all dream just as big.
39 people found this helpful
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A Scary Story for Little Ones

A worthwhile story about overcoming fears is tempered by the literal monster in the corner.

A physical embodiment of fear of the dark, the creature is scary and lurks in the shadows. It does the opposite of what the book claims to do. Rather than show there is nothing to be afraid of, it plants the seed of fear with imagery that is scary to very little one.

By the time a child is old enough to understand the monster is just a metaphore, they will have long outgrown this book.
20 people found this helpful
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To The Moon & Back...Hand-Down Amazing Read!

Astronaut Chris Hadfield doesn't disappoint in this captive book for children (and adults) about not giving up on your dreams and learning to set aside your fears. However, what makes this book even more "awesome" is the illustrations by the legendary Fan Brothers, of Eric & Terry Fan, respectively and respectfully. They are masterful in matching and adhering words with art and they never fall short.
11 people found this helpful
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Though I merely quickly perused the book when it arrived ...

Though I merely quickly perused the book when it arrived, I could see that this is very well written [would expect nothing less from the fabulous Chris Hadfield] and I became more excited than ever to present it to my nephew and his two sisters. Or rather, the book will be wrapped in festive Christmas paper for the kids to share over the holidays. Thanks for writing such a delightful book for young children, Chris, to teach them that the dark too has it's brightness and treasures!
6 people found this helpful
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Overcoming fears

Another reviewer recommended this as book to help with nighttime fears. My daughter is only 3, but is obsessed with our "special moon" book. She doesn't quite understand all the nuances as of yet, but she does understand that the main character, Chris, is no longer afraid at the end of the book. I think a lot of her interest comes from the beautiful illustrations and her overall love of planets and stars.
5 people found this helpful
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and Kate Fillion a best selling author

This picture book is written by Chris Hadfield, one of the, world's most famous astronauts, and Kate Fillion a best selling author. Together they tell the true story of Chris's childhood fear of the dark.

As a small boy, Chris love to play astronaut. He liked to pretend he was fighting deadly aliens, but his imagination created a fearful atmosphere when his room was dark. "The kind of dark that attracts the worst sort of aliens."

His parents struggled to get him to sleep in his own bed. They even gave him a bell to ring if he was nervous. But nothing seemed to help.

One special day, Chris's family joined several others watching the moon landing on television. Chris was amazed and he also noticed that outer space was darkest dark ever. That night, he was able to cope with his dark room. He became hooked on exploring the night sky. He seriously pursued his dream of becoming an astronaut and one day, it came true.

That is where the story ends. Fortunately, Hadfield has written two other books about his experiences as an astronaut. After reading this picture book, children can find more about Hadfield from these books or online.

What a wonderful twist for a little boy who is afraid of the dark to grow up and travel into space, in fact live there for five months. How inspirational for children who have similar fears. This book teaches them that as they grow and learn, they will change and be able to conquer the things that hold them back. How reassuring to know an astronaut was once afraid of the dark.

The vocabulary in this book is suitable for children ages 5 to 8. There is just the right amount of text on each page. Both the text and the illustrations are infused with a subtle sense of humor.

When it was time to get out of the bath and go to bed, he told his father – politely, because astronauts are always polite – "Sorry, no can do. I'm on my way to Mars."

On the page where Chris dreamed he flew a spaceship to the moon, his rocket is made from cardboard, his dog is also suited up and floating beside him, and Chris carries a flag with pictures of the two of them and their names printed in childish script "Chris and Albert."

Although the book is in color, gray and black are dominant throughout. At first, because of Chris's imagination, the dark holds frightening creatures with glowing eyes. As Chris matures, those glowing eyes are replaced by twinkling stars and glowing galaxies.

The last two pages read as follows.

"And, he realized, you're never really alone there. (in the dark)

Your dreams are always with you, just waiting.

Big dreams, about the kind of person you want to be.

Wonderful dreams about the life you will live.

Dreams that actually can come true."

This is a well written, beautifully illustrated picture book that will teach your child about a brave, brilliant, and personable Canadian hero as well as inspire him or her to pursue big dreams.

I won a free copy of this book.
4 people found this helpful
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A beautiful children's book by the astronaut who recorded a music video for Space Oddity while in space!

This is a beautiful children's book, I can't wait to read it with my nephew. The pictures have a subtle full warmth that you rarely see and the story is thoughtful with a great message for kids. I also want to point out that the author is the same astronaut that did the Space Oddity music video in space a few years ago! A true Renaissance man, someone you can be happy if your kids use as a role model...I definitely recommend this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Fantastic gift for the children in your life!

At 10 and 18, my grandchildren are too old for this delightful book, but I have 8 copies to give to children and grandchildren of people I care about. At least one of those children is afraid of the dark; I know this book will help him. Some of the children I know are very adventurous; this book will appeal to them. All the children like stories at bedtime--they'll love this one and enjoy the illustrations, too.
4 people found this helpful
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There is nothing to not like about this book

There is nothing to not like about this book. It is a wonderful keepsake for your child as well as a great gift for other kids. Fortunate to have met the author and bought an autographed copy of the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Even more afraid now

While I understand the premise of this book is to help little ones conquer their fears about the dark, this did the exact opposite for our almost 4 year old. There are so many reviews on here about how great this book is and that it helped someone's child banish the monsters from their bedrooms at night, so let me tell you a little story about the opposite effect.

Daycare read an unrelated story titled "Creepy Carrots" to my newly 3 year old last year, which sent him on a 5 month long terrorized-by-the-dark tail spin. I'm talking multiple nightmares a night that peaked with full on crying and screaming (these were not night terrors as he was fully responsive), all which resulted in either mom or dad having to sleep on his floor after hours of having his eyes stretched wide open (that particular book massively eroded our ability as parents to effectively convince him that monsters...or creepy carrots...were not real). And before you question it, my son has had a relatively normal upbringing so far with little traumatizing events and no known health conditions.

Fast forward to today, we finally settled back into a rhythm where he was no longer afraid of the dark and mom and dad were no longer sleeping on the floor. Then daycare decided to read this book, "The Darkest Dark", in the 3 year olds class because they are talking about space this week. And guess what happened? My son has stayed wide eyed in bed for 2+ hours after saying goodnight every night since, keeping an eye out for monsters.

I love the intention behind this book but I feel like you can't issue a blanket statement saying that this will help children with their fear of the dark. Proceed with caution. Review the actual images before you decide to share then with your child as not all children will have the same reaction. I dont write this review to slam this book; I'm writing it to inform all you sleepy eyed, stressed out parents that there isn't a one size fits all solution. So while you're sipping on your 8th cup of coffee for the morning, take a moment to read through this book before you share it with your child to determine if it's right for them.

Because this book portrays the monsters in the dark as shadowy, creepy creatures with glowing eyes, and the boy is alone and afraid with them in his bedroom, the images can be frightening to little ones with active imaginations. Fear of the dark is normally developed around 3 years of age because children's minds are exploding with new imagination skills. Since there are currently no images of the pages on Amazon, do a quick Google search to see what I'm talking about before buying.

Needless to say, they've removed this book from the shelf at daycare. We're back to square one.
3 people found this helpful

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